It is that time of year again, after a fun girl’s basketball season filled with standout players and a handful of controversial scores — regular season success goes out of the window as the future state champs must win as many as eight games in a row to be crowned champions. 

As always, not all sectional groupings are made the same — leading to some premature exits by talented teams state-championship level matchups in early February. 

Top Opening-Round Sectional Match-Ups

South Bend Washington (20-1) vs. Penn (17-5), Feb. 5

In a rematch of a thrilling 52-50 showdown played on Dec. 6 earlier this season, the Kingsmen will have a chance to send top 4A contender South Bend Washington packing their bags early in this top-notch matchup. 

Highlighted by the impressive defensive duo of Kira Reynolds and Ryiah Wilson, the Panthers relied on their defense to scrape by Penn in the early-season match-up — forcing 23 turnovers. 

While Penn may be able to put up some points on the Panthers with the help of leading scorer Jessa Troy, the talent on this South Bend Washington roster is just undeniable. 

With both teams shooting sub-40 marks from the field during the first game, expect another hard-fought defensive contest between the top two Northern Indiana squads that ultimately falls in favor of the Panthers. 

Columbia City (17-4) vs. Northwood (16-5), Feb. 4

Claire Payne is averaging 15 points and 12 boards down low for Northwood, Ms. Basketball candidate Addie Baxter is breaking school records on the perimeter for Columbia City. 

Both will be facing favorable match-ups for most of the game — what more would you want in a game?

In their five common games this season: West Noble, Warsaw, Bishop Dwenger, Wawasee and Goshen, both teams are 4-1 with 25+ point losses to Warsaw. 

These two teams are as evenly matched as it comes, and it will go down to the wire, but Columbia City’s overall talent may just push them past Northwood. 

Pike (15-4) vs. Brownsburg (18-4), Feb. 4

Another game featuring a Ms. Basketball candidate, Avery Gordon and the Bulldogs will be starting their hopeful march to Gainbridge Fieldhouse with a rematch against Pike. 

Elle McCullogh and Avery Gordon combined for 43 points in the Bulldogs 69-58 victory over Pike on Jan. 21. 

With both teams being battle-tested throughout the season, expect a similar result in the rematch as McCullogh and Gordon will likely continue to be just too much for the Red Devils. 

Oak Hill (19-2) vs. Wabash (17-4), Feb. 4

Two of the slower-paced teams in the state, Wabash and Oak Hill will be running it back against one another after Oak Hill won a 40-29 grudge match earlier this season on Dec. 18. 

After going up 26-18 at halftime, the Golden Eagles utilized the lack of a shot clock to outscore the Apaches 4-2 in the third quarter.

Sophomore Landri Hartman led all scorers with 13 points for Oak Hill — while leading scorer Liz Godfrey was held to just six points. Both scorers will once again be a key piece for Oak Hill as points will be at slim pickings in this one. 

For Wabash, Brooklyn Buzzard has poured in 15 points per game and will need to connect on much more than her 0-10 shooting night she had in the first matchup between these two teams. 

Expect an even lower-scoring game with more stall tactics with much more at stake given the stature of the postseason. 

Hamilton Southeastern (21-0) vs. Fishers (13-7), Feb. 4

While Fishers is not sitting atop the state rankings like they have the past few seasons, IBCA number one Hamilton Southeastern will still have their handfuls in the classic Mudsock Rivalry in the Noblesville sectional. 

In the first meeting between the two rivals, HSE came out on top 47-34 despite an 11-3 first-quarter lead Fishers brought into the second period. 

Indiana commit and Ms. Basketball front-runner Maya Makalusky was held to 12 points on 27% shooting in the first matchup on Dec. 20, and that will be the key for Fishers to create any type of upset come the fourth. 

With a more comfortable shooting environment in Noblesville compared to the Fishers Event Center that hosted the regular season contest, it would be unlikely for the Royals to shoot so poorly as they did previously. 

However, the same goes for the Tigers who shot an abysmal 21% in the contest. 

Expect a competitive game that ultimately is decided by Makalusky. 

Quick Pick: State Champs 

4A: Lawrence Central 

3A: Greensburg 

2A: South Knox 

1A: Lafayette Central-Catholic 

Regular Season All-State Team 

4A Team:

G: Meredith Tippner, Noblesville 

G: Maya Makalusky, Hamilton Southeastern

G: Jaylah Lampley, Lawrence Central

F: Kira Reynolds, South Bend Washington

C: Avery Gordon, Brownsburg 

3A Team: 

G: Emma Ancelet, Danville 

G: Kamrah Banks, Crispus Attucks 

G: Jordan Steele, Highland 

F: Madalynn Shirley, Evansville Central 

C: Anna Caskey, Bishop Chatard

2A Team: 

G: Jacklynn Hosier, Alexandria-Monroe 

G: Brynn Owens, Austin 

G: McKenzie Koch, Eastern Hancock 

F: Laniah Wills, Lapel 

F: Alyssa Anderson, Woodlan

1A Team: 

G: Carly Davidson, Clinton Central 

G: Ava McGrade, Lakewood Park Christian 

G: Jayln Davidson, North Central (Farmersburg)

F: Glory Davis, Union

C: Alivia Peoples, Anderson Prep